How important is it for you that this choir is a queer choir?
“It’s really nice to have queer community that’s not based on dating or bars or alcohol, but rather one that’s around an activity that’s much more fun to do together. Moving to another country made it really difficult to figure out how to find queer community. I know my life works better when there’s music in it. And I love singing with other people.
“It’s been interesting telling people about the choir. I’ve had so many people say, “oh, but you’re not queer.” And I’m like, I’m in a straight-passing marriage, but I am bi! So it’s been a really nice, easy way to have conversations about queerness and community with friends and family of whatever orientation and talk to them about what’s important to me.”
Could you tell something about your singing experience from before?
“I’ve always been singing to myself, but I started singing in choirs at school when I was maybe 10 years old, and then in middle school and high school and in college and afterwards in community choirs and church choirs and different project choirs… I have never been away from choir for more than a few years. All kinds of music too: a lot of classical, some weird experimental stuff, but also gospel and pop.”
How do you like the current repertoire, do you have a favorite piece?
“I really love The Long Day Closes by Sullivan. It just feels like the kind of hug that makes you feel like things might get better, that you’re going to get through something. Not that it makes the bad feelings go away, but that there can still be comfort in times of pain. We started it on a day when I was having a difficult time, and I immediately fell in love with it.”
How do you look back on your first project and concert?
“The concert was really enjoyable. My partner and my kid were there, and my six-year-old was really excited to stay up late. It’s been such a long time since I participated in something with such a high standard. I said when I started that I like to work hard and play hard. It’s great to have fun, and at the same time, to really focus and kind of buckle down. And yeah, it has been really good Dutch practice as well.”